The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) had released its Opioid Guidelines for Responsible Prescribing in Chronic Non-Cancer Pain

Clinic News, News & Events

The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) had released its Opioid Guidelines for Responsible Prescribing in Chronic Non-Cancer Pain. As part its professional journal, the Pain Physician, ASIPP has created and revised guidelines for interventional techniques and opioid prescribing since 2002. The latest guidelines released today are comprehensive is a product of a multidisciplinary panel of 55 authors. These guidelines illustrate a 10-step process with comprehensive assessment and documentation, establishing medical necessity and treatment goals, recommendations for responsible opioid therapy with dose limitations, and necessity for a comprehensive and robust agreement. The guidelines include the initial steps for comprehensive assessment, including the risk assessment, steps to appropriate diagnosis, establishing medical necessity, establishing treatment goals, assessing effectiveness of opioid therapy; with informed decision making, initial treatment steps, adherence monitoring, evaluation of side effects and discontinuation or maintenance of opioid therapy on a long-term basis. It also covers the means and ways to initiate opioid therapy, specific guidelines for methadone use, and reduction in prescription drug dose.

These comprehensive two-part guidelines provide guidance on dose limitations with low dose being defined as 40 mg, moderate dose, up to 90 mg of morphine equivalence, and high dose as anything over 90 mg of morphine equivalence.

Dr. Glaser – 70 of the Best Pain Management Physicians in America – Beckers Review

News & Events, Patient Advocacy

The following pain management physicians were selected for this list based on the awards they received from major organizations in the field, leadership in those organizations, work on professional publications and positions of service held at hospitals and surgery centers. The surgeons are listed in alphabetical order by last name. All physicians placed on this list have undergone substantial review from our editorial staff. Physicians do not pay and cannot pay to be selected as a great leader to know. The list is not an endorsement of any individual’s or organization’s clinical abilities.

Scott Glaser, MD (Pain Specialists of Greater Chicago, Chicago). Dr. Glaser is a director on the national board of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, where he has also served as vice president. He has been the president of the Illinois Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and is a diplomate with the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians. In addition to his practice, Dr. Glaser has been one of the first physician instructors of the International Spinal Interventional Society, where he provided training in performing spinal injections. He also instructs other physicians in minimally invasive spinal procedures in national cadaver courses. During his career, Dr. Glaser has been involved in lobbying for the passage of the NASPER bill fighting prescription drug abuse. Dr. Glaser earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship in anesthesiology at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago.

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Becker’s ASC Review – Dr. Glaser chosen as one of 30 top “Great Physician Leaders”

News & Events, Patient Advocacy

Here are profiles of 30 great physician leaders. Each of these physicians is a speaker at the 9th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven Ambulatory Surgery Center Conference: Improving Profitability and Business and Legal Issues (June 9-11; Chicago). Note: Physicians are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Thomas Bombardier, MD, FACS. Dr. Bombardier is an ophthalmologist and one of the three founding principals of Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America. Prior to founding ASCOA, he established the largest ophthalmic practice in Western Massachusetts, two ASCs and a regional referral center. Over the past 17 years, he has been a real estate developer in Cape Cod, Mass.

John Caruso, MD. Dr. Caruso has more than 16 years of neurological surgery experience. Since completing residencies at the Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine and the University of New Mexico, he has been in private practice with Neurosurgical Specialists in Hagerstown, Md.

John Cherf, MD. Dr. Cherf is an orthopedic surgeon, president of the Chicago Institute of Orthopedics, president of OrthoIndex and clinical advisor to Sg2. He has more than 20 years of clinical experience in orthopedics and sports medicine. He co-founded the orthopedic department at the Neurological & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago and founder of Midwest Orthopedic Institute in Eastern Indiana.

Brian Cole, MD. Dr. Cole is the head of the cartilage restoration center, a multidisciplinary program specializing in the restoration of articular cartilage and meniscal deficiency, and a professor in the department of orthopedics at Rush University in Chicago. He has a professional interest in arthroscopic reconstruction of the patient’s shoulder, elbow and knee.

R. Blake Curd, MD. Dr. Curd is chairman of the board of directors of Surgical Management Professionals. He is an active proponent of physician ownership in healthcare and serves as a director for Physician Hospitals of America and is manager for Medical Facilities Corp., which promotes physician ownership of healthcare facilities through partnerships.

John DiPaola, MD. Dr. DiPaola is an orthopedic surgeon and occupational orthopedist who originally built his Swan Island, Ore., clinic to exclusively serve injured workers. He opened his solo practice in 2000 after being attached to a group of orthopedic surgeons and decided to focus on workers with orthopedic injuries. Dr. DiPaola is affiliated with the Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Oregon Association of Orthopedists. His practice is now known as Occupational Orthopedics and consists of one location in Swan Island and one in Tualatin, Ore.

Robin Fowler, MD. Dr. Fowler is the medical director of the Interventional Spine and Pain Management Center in Conyers, Ga., and an active staff member at Newton and Rockdale Medical Centers. He is also the founder and medical director of Interventional Management Services, a management company for surgical centers from New Mexico to Florida. He is a member of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, National Pain Foundation, American Pain Society and American Society of Anesthesia.

Scott Gibbs, MD. Dr. Gibbs is the founder of the Brain and NeuroSpine Clinic of Missouri and also serves as director of the Southeast Missouri Hospital’s Brain and Spine Center, both located in Cape Girardeau, Mo. In addition to serving on the medical staff at Saint Francis Medical Center, he founded the International Brain Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at brain awareness.

Scott Glaser, MD. Dr. Glaser is a director on the national board of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, where he has also served as vice president. He is a diplomate with the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians. During his career, Dr. Glaser has been involved in lobbying for the passage of the NASPER bill fighting prescription drug abuse.

Nameer Haider, MD. Dr. Haider is a pain management physician with Spinal & Skeletal Pain Medicine in Utica, N.Y. Dr. Haider has training in the most advanced techniques in pain treatment, including minimally invasive spinal surgery and laser disc surgery. Dr. Haider is also medical director of Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center in New Hartford, N.Y., and partner of the outpatient pain practice Advanced Physician Medicine & Rehabilitation in Utica, N.Y.

Richard Hynes, MD. Dr. Hynes is a spine surgeon who has been serving as president of The B.A.C.K. Center in Melbourne, Fla. since 1996. The B.A.C.K. Center originates from the Brevard Orthopaedic Clinic, which was founded in 1981 by Glenn Bryan, MD. The clinic shifted its focus to treatment of the neck and spine with the addition of Dr. Hynes in 1992.

Richard Kube, MD. Dr. Kube is the CEO, founder and owner of Prairie Spine & Pain Institute in Peoria, Ill. He is also currently affiliated with four hospitals in southern Illinois and is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. He has presented or lectured at professional seminars in South Korea, Canada, Germany and Hungary, among other locations.

Brent W. Lambert, MD, FACS. Dr. Lambert is the principal and founder of Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America. A board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Lambert is currently responsible for business development at ASCOA. Prior to its founding, Dr. Lambert was the developer and owner of three ASCs, including the first eye ASC in New England.

James Lynch, MD. Dr. Lynch is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon and board-certified neurosurgeon and founder of SpineNevada in Reno. He also serves as chairman and director of spine programs at Surgery Center of Reno, and regularly lectures on outpatient spine surgery. He has a professional interest in complex spine surgery, spinal deformities, trauma and minimally invasive surgery.

Bryan Massoud, MD. Dr. Massoud is founder and head surgeon at Spine Centers of America in Fair Lawn, N.J. He received training at Texas Back Institute in Plano, and has performed more than 1,000 endoscopic spine surgeries, including endoscopic cervical spine surgery. He also trains spine surgeons in endoscopic procedures, and articles he has authored on the subject are published in professional journals.

Nelson Mozia, MD. Dr. Mozia practices pediatric surgery, general surgery and colon and rectal surgery with Lutheran Campus ASC in Wheat Ridge, Colo.

Robert Nucci, MD. Dr. Nucci is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon and founder of Nucci Spine & Orthopedics Institute in Tampa, Fla. He helped develop and implement minimally invasive surgical techniques and serves as an international speaker on spine surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society.

Joan F. O’Shea, MD. Dr. O’Shea is a dually trained neurosurgeon and spine surgeon and founder of The Spine Institute of Southern New Jersey in Marlton. She has published several papers on treatments for patients suffering from spinal cancers and complex spinal disorders. She has been an invited lecturer for the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and is a member of the North American Spine Society and Women in Neurosurgery.

Kenneth A. Pettine, MD. Dr. Pettine is the founder of The Spine Institute and Loveland (Colo.) Surgery Center. He has a background in spine surgery, research and rehabilitation and is a co-inventor and co-designer of the Maverick Artificial Disc. He has also served as principal investigator for numerous FDA studies involving non-fusion spine technology.

Greg Poulter, MD. Dr. Poulter is a spine surgeon at Vail (Colo.) Summit Orthopaedics. He completed a spine fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the University of California San Francisco. He was among the first surgeons to perform minimally invasive spinal fusion.

David J. Raab, MD. Dr. Raab is on the board of managers at the Illinois Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery Center and is a fellowship-trained sports medicine physician with Illinois Bone & Joint Institute in Morton Grove. His professional interests include total joint replacement, arthroscopy and pediatric orthopedics. He also serves as an assistant professor at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago.

Michael Redler, MD. Dr. Redler is a founding partner of OSM The Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center in Fairfield, Conn. He is a fellowship-trained sports medicine and hand surgeon. He also serves as the orthopedic consultant to Major League Lacrosse and is a professor of physical therapy and athletic trainers at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.

Blair A. Rhode, MD. Dr. Rhode is a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon with Orland Park (Ill.) Orthopedics. He has special interest in the treatment of foot, ankle, knee and shoulder conditions and specializes in anthroscopic surgery. Dr. Rhode completed a fellowship in sports medicine/knee and shoulder reconstruction at the Southern California Center for Sports Medicine.

Paul E. Savoca, MD, FACS, FASCRS. Dr. Savoca is a staff colon and rectal surgeon with Fairfax Colon and Rectal Surgery at Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va. He is on the faculty of the department of surgery at Georgetown University Medical School. Dr. Savoca’s medical specialties include minimally invasive or laparoscopic colon surgery.

Paul E. Savoca, MD, FACS, FASCRS. Dr. Savoca is a staff colon and rectal surgeon with Fairfax Colon and Rectal Surgery at Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va. He is on the faculty of the department of surgery at Georgetown University Medical School. Dr. Savoca’s medical specialties include minimally invasive or laparoscopic colon surgery.

Marshall Steele, MD. Dr. Steele is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, founder and CEO of Marshall Steele, a firm that implements musculoskeletal service lines and programs in hospitals. Dr. Steele is the author of Orthopedics and Spine, Service Line Strategies for Superior Performance, his most recent publication.

Kevin Stone, MD. Dr. Stone is an orthopedic surgeon at The Stone Clinic and chairman of the Stone Research Foundation, both in San Francisco. Dr. Stone holds more than 50 U.S. patents on healthcare products and is co-founder of ReGen Biologics, a publicly traded medical device company focused on meniscus regeneration. Dr. Stone has served as a physician for the U.S. Ski Team, the U.S. Pro Ski Tour, Marin Ballet and various other professional organizations.

William Tobler, MD. Dr. Tobler is a neurological surgeon and president and director of neurosurgery at The Christ Hospital Spine Surgery Center in Cincinnati. He earned his medical degree from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and is a member of numerous professional organizations, including North American Spine Society and Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Jeffrey L. Visotsky, MD, FACS. Dr. Visotsky is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. Dr. Visotsky also holds academic appointments with Northwestern University, Chicago Medical School and University of Illinois. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University and received fellowship training in hand microsurgery at Baylor College of Medicine along with additional fellowship training at University of Chicago Hospital.

Robert Welti, MD. Dr. Welti is the senior vice president of operations at Regent Surgical Health. He has experience in working with hospital-based surgery centers as well as physician-owned ASCs. He was previously the medical director and administrator of the Santa Barbara (Calif.) Surgery Center.

For more information about the 9th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven Ambulatory Surgery Center Conference, please download the conference brochure (pdf), click here or call (703) 836-5904. There are four ways to register:

Online. Register through a secure web site.
Phone. Call (703) 836-5904 or (800) 417-2035.
E-mail. Contact registrationascassociation.org (This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it).
Fax. Print the conference brochure (PDF), fill-out the registration on p. 7 and fax it to (703) 836-2090.

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Dr. Glaser among Ten Regent Partner Physicians recognized as “Leaders in the ASC Industry” by Becker’s ASC Review

Clinic News

All of our physician partners work hard everyday to insure that their patients receive the highest quality care in the safest, most cost effective environment. The ASC outpatient model is a great method for achieving this goal.

All of us here at Regent would like to congratulate ten of our physician partners who were recognized among 106 Physician Leaders in the ASC Industry by Becker’s ASC Review. Their hard work helps our industry, as well as the Regent Surgical Health partner facilities, achieve the great outcomes we are known for.

Douglas R. Dodson, DO. Dr. Dodson practices orthopedics at Alamogordo Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in New Mexico, where he works with patients ranging from professional athletes to “weekend warriors” to child soccer players. Dr. Dodson earned his DO from Western University of Health Sciences in California and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Michigan State University. He also undertook a fellowship in joint replacement surgery at Thomas Jefferson University. His special interests include hip and knee reconstruction, back pain, arthritis, foot and ankle disease, work-related injuries and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. In the Alamogordo community, he participates in local health lectures and coaches amateur sports teams. Dr. Dodson is the former chief of staff of Gerald Champion Memorial Hospital and serves on the board of directors for Alamogordo Physicians Cooperative. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopaedics and the New Mexico Orthopaedic Association.

James L. Fox, Jr., MD. Dr. Fox is the founding leader of the Ravine Way Surgery Center in Glenview, Ill., and practices at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who has been practicing for more than 20 years. His clinical interests include general orthopedic surgery, including fracture care and arthroscopy, as well as orthopedic oncology. Dr. Fox received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He completed a fellowship in orthopedic oncology at Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center in New York, and joint replacement at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago. He completed his residency with, and serves as assistant professor and associate clinical professor at, Northwestern University Medical School in Evanston, Ill. He also holds an instructor position at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, Ill.

Eric J. Freeh, DO. Dr. Freeh practices orthopedics at Alamogordo Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in New Mexico. As the former team physician for the Phoenix Suns professional basketball team, he has the experience to provide his patients with “the finest orthopedic care possible,” according to the center’s website. Dr. Freeh earned his DO from Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery and completed an internship at Hillcrest Osteopathic Hospital. He also undertook an orthopedic surgery residency at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington, Mich. Dr. Freeh specializes in trauma surgery, shoulder injury and osteoporosis and has successfully treated thousands of fractures. In addition to his clinical work, he serves as an examiner for the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, is a member of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry and is a faculty member at the Association for Study of Internal Fixation.

Scott E. Glaser, MD, FIPP. Dr. Glaser is a well-respected pain specialist and founder of the Pain Specialists of Greater Chicago in Burr Ridge, Ill. He serves as director on the national board of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and was heavily involved in the lobbying efforts required to ensure passage of the NASPER bill and still works closely with the Illinois Department of Health and the chief pharmacist to implement the program in Illinois. Dr. Glaser was one of the first instructors selected by the International Spinal Intervention Society, the first society to provide training by experts in the performance of spinal injections. As an instructor, he teaches other physicians minimally invasive spinal procedures on cadavers at national courses. He also presents continuing medical education lectures at ASIPP meetings. Dr. Glaser received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. He completed his anesthesia residency and fellowship at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago.

James J. Lynch, MD, FACS. Dr. Lynch is the president, founder and CEO of SpineNevada based in Reno, Nev., and he also serves as the director of spine service for Regent Surgical Health. He is a board-certified neurological surgeon with 18 years of experience who specializes in complex spine surgery, cervical disorders, degenerative spine, spinal deformities, trauma, tumor infection and minimally invasive spine surgery. He is on staff at St. Mary’s Hospital and Renown Medical Center, both located in Reno. He is one of only a handful of spine surgeons with three fellowships in the specialty of spine surgery and has been published in leading journals including Spine: Journal of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgery. Dr. Lynch is a frequent lecturer at national meetings on spine topics related to ASCs. He earned his medical degree from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and completed a residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Lynch completed spine fellowships from Mayo Clinic, Queen Square in London and Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Ariz.

David J. Raab, MD. Dr. Raab is the founder, president and CEO of the Illinois Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery Center in Morton Grove, Ill., and an orthopedic surgeon with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Des Plaines, Ill. He specializes in orthopedic surgery in sports medicine, total joint replacement and arthroscopy, among other areas of interest. He holds an academic appointment as assistant professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at Northwestern University Medical School. Dr. Raab received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and completed his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at Northwestern. He completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the Minneapolis Sports Medicine Center.

Herbert Riemenschneider, MD. Dr. Riemenschneider is the principal physician at Riverside Urology and the founder of Knightsbridge Surgery Center, both in Columbus, Ohio. He is a urologic surgeon, a dedicated patient advocate and an innovator in delivering superior urologic care. He currently is a member of the faculty at Ohio State University in Columbus, clinical assistant professor of Urology at OSU’s College of Medicine and director of urologic education at Riverside Methodist Hospitals. A local pioneer in cryosurgical ablation for treatment of prostate cancer, he performed the first prostate cryoablation in Ohio. Dr. Riemenschneider received his medical degree from the OSU College of Medicine and completed his residency in urology at Indiana University in Indianapolis.

Kent Sasse, MD, MPH, FACS. Dr. Sasse is one of the leading bariatric physicians in the country, serves as the director of the Western Bariatric Institute in Reno, Nev., and is an attending surgeon at several hospitals in the area. He is the founder of the International Metabolic Institute, which seeks to bring individuals state-of-the-art medical and scientific principles of physiologic weight reduction. Dr. Sasse is the author of two recent books titled Life-Changing Weight Loss and Doctor’s Orders: 101 Medically Proven Tips for Losing Weight. He received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, a master’s in health and medical sciences at UCSF-UC Berkeley Joint Medical Program and an MPH in epidemiology from UC-Berkeley School of Public Health. Dr. Sasse completed his residency at the UCSF department of surgery and his fellowship at the Lahey Clinic department of colon and rectal surgery in Burlington, Mass.

Jeffrey L. Visotsky, MD, FACS. Dr. Visotsky is a member of Illinois Bone and Joint Institute and founder of the Morton Grove (Ill.) Surgery Center. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and specializes in conditions of the hand, elbow and shoulder, arthroscopy shoulder/elbow, shoulder reconstruction and replacement, among other areas. Dr. Visotsky serves as assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago and an instructor in the physicians assistant department of the Finch University of Health Sciences Chicago Medical School. He also holds a position as a special consultant in the division of specialized care for children at the University of Illinois in Chicago, specializing in hand and upper extremity care. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at McGaw Medical Center in Chicago and his fellowship in hand and upper extremity microsurgery at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Robert Welti, MD. Dr. Welti is the corporate medical director and Senior Vice President, Operations, for Westchester, Ill.-based Regent Surgical Health. He served as the medical director and administrator of the Santa Barbara (Calif.) Surgery Center and was affiliated with Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for 20 years. He has worked in both hospital-based surgery centers and smaller physician-owned ASCs. A board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Welti earned his medical degree from Stanford (Calif.) University School of Medicine, where he also served his internship and residency and completed his fellowship in cardiothoracic anesthesia at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Dr. Scott Glaser, pictured with Dr. Gabor Racz and with Dr. Joseph Fortin, presides over the 2nd Annual Illinois Society of Interventional Pain Physicians meeting held in Chicago.

News & Events, Patient Advocacy, Patient Education

Dr. Glaser, president ISIPP, presided over the 2nd annual Illinois Society of Interventional Pain Physicians meeting held on January 19th which was a rousing success. 60 ISIPP members enjoyed good food and camaraderie at Harry Caray’s restaurant in downtown Chicago on a cold winter evening. They were treated to provocative and informative lectures by Dr. Gabor Racz and Dr. Joseph Fortin. Dr. Racz presented his thoughts on reducing the risks of interventional treatment, specifically interlaminar and transformational injections as well as epidural adhesiolysis procedures. The attendees were riveted by Dr. Racz as he recounted complications of interventional treatment that he was aware of. Dr. Fortin gave a well received lecture on biomechanics of the lumbar spine with an impressive audiovisual presentation. The audience gained an appreciation of the causes of injury to the spine well as the logic behind the rehabilitative process. The audience was truly multispecialty in nature comprised of physicians from a physiatric and anesthesiology background, nurses, physician assistants, radiology technicians, and physical therapists.

Pain Specialists of Greater Chicago Supports Hinsdale Rotary Run Charity Classic

Clinic News, News & Events

In an effort to help local community causes, Pain Specialists of Greater Chicago has made a donation in support of the Hinsdale Rotary Run Charity Event. The physicians of Pain Specialists of Greater Chicago are honored to support an organization such as the Hinsdale Rotary Club. “The Rotary Run Charity Classic is an experience that unifies the entire community and we are committed to being a good neighbor in our community,” says Dr. Scott Glaser. The race begins at The Community House at 8am on Sunday, October 17th, with events scheduled throughout the morning.

For more information about the race please visit
http://www.rotaryruncharityclassic.org/intraining.php

Prescription drug abuse surged 400 percent in past decade A new White House study found a 400 percent jump in prescription drug abuse between 1998 and 2008. Experts blame a lack of monitoring programs as well as Americans’ increasing unwillingness to bear even small pains.

Case Study, Clinic News, News & Events, Patient Education

In a new White House study, a 400 percent jump in substance abuse treatment admissions for prescription pain relievers between 1998 and 2008.

Los Angeles
Prescription drug abuse is not just on the rise it has become a national crisis, according to a just-released White House study detailing a 400 percent increase in substance abuse treatment admissions for prescription pain relievers between 1998 and 2008.

The non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is now the second-most prevalent form of illicit drug use in America and its tragic consequences are seen in substance abuse treatment centers and hospital emergency departments throughout our nation, says Pamela Hyde, administrator of The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in a statement.

The statistics are being released to highlight a problem that has become all too familiar through the high-profile deaths of such celebrities as Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith. But the problem affects all ages and socioeconomic strata, says Dr. Scott Glaser, president of Pain Specialists of Greater Chicago.

From 1994 to 2003, the number of prescriptions for controlled substances rose from 22 million to 354 million annually, says Dr. Glaser. The number of admissions for misuse of prescription painkillers to hospital emergency rooms rose from some 40,000 in 1994 to over 300,000 in 2008, he adds.

There has been a strong push among doctors in recent years to be more aggressive in addressing pain, he notes. This has led to the dramatic increase in opiates such as morphine, but the problem is there hasnt been a whole lot of science to go along with that.

The abuse of these strong drugs is an indication of a much more widespread cultural problem, says addiction specialist Clare Kavin of The Waismann Method, a treatment center for opiate dependency, which has treated many celebrity addicts.

We are in a culture of immediate gratification and nobody will put up with even the slightest discomfort anymore, she says. This underlying attitude leads many patients to push for stronger painkillers when lower strength but non-addictive drugs would have sufficed in the past, she adds.

We are in a perfect nightmare, says Andrea Barthwell, who has advised the White House on national drug policies. Many of the factors that have come together to fuel this explosive problem such as the lack of effective monitoring of prescriptions not just between doctors, but between pharmacies, and from state to state have been well known for years.

Glaser points out that a federal monitoring program was signed into law in 2005 but funding has languished ever since. Glaser and his colleagues from the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians are just back from lobbying on Capitol Hill for $55 million to fund the program, which they say will pay for itself in five years.

Currently some 37 states have some form of monitoring, Glaser says, but they are inconsistent and lead to widespread abuse. He points to widespread practices such as:

Easy access to prescription drugs through the Internet.
Caravans of people crossing state lines Florida is well known for its open-door clinics with easy access to drugs.
Street sales fueled by lax oversight.
Teens selling prescription drugs to each other
The increasing potency of presciption drugs can lead to what Ms. Barthwell calls a frightening and unprecedented scenario: In the past, the number of people exposed to opiate-level highs was very narrow, she says. But now, with a wide cross-section of the population for the first time experiencing this kind of dependency, we are seeing a record number of people turning to heroin when they can no longer afford the more expensive prescription drugs.

The data released Thursday highlight how serious a threat to public health we face from the abuse of prescription drugs, said Gil Kerlikowske, National Drug Policy Director, in a statement. The spikes in prescription drug abuse rates captured by this study are dramatic, pervasive, and deeply disturbing, he adds.

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